The Stairsteps
The Five Stairsteps were a Chicago-based soul group formed in the mid-1960s, consisting of siblings from the Burke family. Known as the "First Family of Soul," they gained fame with hits like "O-o-h Child" in 1970.
The core lineup included five siblings: lead singer Clarence Burke Jr., Alohe Jean Burke, James Burke, Dennis Burke, and youngest brother Kenneth "Keni" Burke, with Cubie Burke briefly joining as a child. Their father, Clarence Sr., managed the group and played bass, while they were discovered by Curtis Mayfield.
Starting on labels like Windy C and Curtom, they scored R&B hits such as "You Waited Too Long," "World of Fantasy," and "Come Back" from 1966-1967, earning a NATRA award. Albums like The Five Stairsteps (1967) and Family Portrait (1968) showcased their smooth harmonies and ballads.
Their signature song "O-o-h Child" topped R&B charts in 1970 on Buddah Records, ranking on Rolling Stone's Greatest Songs list. The group evolved, dropping "Five" from their name, adding Cubie temporarily, and later reforming as the Invisible Man's Band in the 1970s with George Harrison's Dark Horse label. They disbanded around 1972, with members pursuing solo careers, session work, and other ventures; James Burke passed away in 2021.
2nd Resurrection
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lyrics By – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke 3:39
A2 Pasado
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke
Percussion, Horns [Univox] – Ricardo Marrero
Twelve-String Guitar – Steve Beckmeier 3:09
A3 Theme Of Angels
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards, Arranged By – Billy Preston
Music By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke 3:19
A4 Lifting 2nd Resurrection
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lead Guitar – Steve Beckmeier
Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dennis Burke
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero 3:45
A5 Time
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – James Burke
Guitar, Effects [Mu-tron] – Dennis Burke
Lyrics By – Syreeta Wright
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Saxophone, Soloist – Stomach 3:48
B1 Throwin' Stones Atcha
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr. 3:04
B2 Far East
Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero
Soloist [Super Phaser Solo] – Steve Beckmeier 1:06
B3 In The Beginning
Backing Vocals – Ivory Davis
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Bass – Kenneth Burke
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr. 2:53
B4 Tell Me Why
Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Dennis Burke
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke 4:31
B5 Salaam
Arranged By – Stairsteps
Drums – Alvin Taylor
Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.
Keyboards – Billy Preston
Lead Guitar – Dennis Burke
Music By, Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke
Percussion – Ricardo Marrero 4:34
Label: Dark Horse Records – SP-22004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
The album 2nd Resurrection by the Stairsteps is a critically acclaimed 1976 soul/funk classic, widely considered an under-appreciated masterpiece by fans and critics. It marked a significant shift for the group (formerly The Five Stairsteps) towards a more mature, sophisticated, and experimental sound, moving past their earlier "bubblegum" pop-soul image.
It is often described as a "long lost classic" and a "jewel" of mid-70s R&B. Reviewers note that the music was ahead of its time, with an eclectic and melodic composition that still sounds fresh decades later. One review from Mojo magazine in 2001 even named it one of the "100 best soul albums of all time".
The album is praised for working as a cohesive listening experience rather than just a collection of singles, highlighting the group's artisan musicianship.
It features a slick, West Coast soul sound, with a more mature feel compared to their earlier work like "O-o-h Child".
It was released on George Harrison's Dark Horse label and co-produced by Billy Preston (who also played keyboards) and Robert Margouleff.
Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, known for their groundbreaking work with Stevie Wonder, programmed the T.O.N.T.O synthesizer, contributing innovative and experimental elements to the album's sound.
2nd Resurrection is a must-listen for fans of 70s soul and funk, offering a deeply satisfying and artistically rich experience that transcends its era.
The album was long out of print on physical media but has seen several reissues on both CD and vinyl, including a gold vinyl release for Record Store Day in 2023, making it accessible to new listeners. You can find various versions available through online retailers like Amazon or music databases like Discogs.